LAWRENCE, Ind. (WTHR) — The case involving an unsolved murder in Lawrence, Indiana hit a one-year mark Thursday, and the victim’s family hopes to spark new leads.
The mother of Aaron Grice told Eyewitness News she wouldn't wish the pain of losing a child to gun violence on anyone. She hopes the vigil at the apartment complex where her son lost his life puts them one step closer to justice, especially after their first Christmas without Grice.
One of this year's Christmas gifts for Grice's mom, Mary Love, is a pillow she'll cherish forever. It contains a photo collage of her son who was found murdered the day after Christmas.
“We just wanted to get the day over with and then today, the day of the anniversary of losing him," Love said.
Around 2 a.m. Dec. 26, 2018, Lawrence Police officers responded to shots fired at the Canterbury House Apartments on Franklin Road. Grice suffered fatal gunfire after a disagreement escalated out of control. His mother believes he was with people he not only knew but somewhat trusted enough to hang out with that morning. They were shooting dice.
“My son lost his life over a dice game, $100, $200. That's not worth taking someone's life,” she said.
Grice's sister, Danielle Law, found his body at the complex minutes before officers arrived on the scene. Just like, mom she still hopes for justice especially for how she found her brother.
“The last image I got is him laying there lifeless and there was nothing I could do, and with me being his big sister I felt like I was suppose to protect him and I feel like I failed him," Law said.
Grice's family and friends will hold a vigil at the same complex beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday Dec. 26. They invite others who've lost loved ones to gun violence to join them and even hope someone will come forward to help give closure. Love told Eyewitness News since two other people have been shot and killed in the same complex it could help teach young people to help in cases like her son's and possibly stop the violence altogether.
“A lot of these kids out here if they open up and talk, we can stop a lot of gun violence," she said.
If you have any information that could help in this case call Crime Stoppers at 317-262 TIPS. If your tip leads to an arrest you will receive up to $1,000 in reward money. All calls to the tip line are 100 percent confidential.